Kaduna police arrest 24 suspected kidnappers, recover firearms, over 500 rounds of ammunition

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered several firearms, AK-47 magazines, more than 500 rounds of live ammunition, 38 live cartridges and a bag containing charms in separate operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday.

He said the command’s operations had targeted kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking, cattle rustling, vehicle theft and other criminal activities, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects still at large.

According to him, police operatives attached to Operation Fushin Kada intercepted Abdullahi Ibrahim, 45, at Maraban Kanja on September 24, 2026.

The suspect was allegedly found with two locally made AK-47 rifles, nine locally made long guns, 10 locally made pistols, two AK-47 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 38 live cartridges.

The commissioner said the suspect, during interrogation, explained that he obtained the weapons and ammunition from Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who remain at large, adding that the police had intensified efforts to apprehend them.

Rabiu said police also recovered three firearms allegedly linked to suspected banditry and cattle rustling along the Kidandan-Birnin Gwari axis.

He said an AK-47 rifle, a Type-06 rifle and an LAR rifle were recovered from a vehicle intercepted at Dogarawa, Zaria.

According to him, the principal suspect is currently at large, while investigations are ongoing to establish the wider network allegedly involved in the movement of the firearms.

Two suspected members of an arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate, Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, were also arrested by the police following surveillance around the Giwa and Railway Station axes.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition.

The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.

Responding to a reported bandit attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi Local Government Area, the commissioner said police operatives, supported by local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in a gun duel after receiving a distress call on September 20.

He said one suspect, Usman Alhaji Dahiru, 20, was wounded and arrested, while police recovered a locally made rifle, a locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one live round of ammunition and a bag containing charms.

The command also recovered a stolen Hyundai Elantra at New Panteka and arrested Hamza Yushau and Abdullahi Abdullahi, who were allegedly attempting to make a new key for the vehicle.

CP Rabiu said the suspects allegedly admitted purchasing the vehicle from Abdulkadir Yahaya of Zaria, who is currently at large, despite allegedly knowing that it had been stolen from Kwara State.

He assured residents that the command would continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements across Kaduna State while strengthening mechanisms for intelligence gathering and timely response to emerging security threats.

Rabiu identified intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, rapid response, covert surveillance, inter-agency cooperation and community partnership as the key pillars of the command’s operational strategy.

The commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his guidance and operational support. He also appreciated Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for what he described as continued logistical support to the command.

He equally praised police officers and men, local communities and vigilante groups for their contributions to intelligence gathering and security operations and assured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information about criminal activities through established police communication channels, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially and acted upon professionally.

Kaduna police arrest 24 suspected kidnappers, recover firearms, over 500 rounds of ammunition